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| Doug Woog | |
|---|---|
| Name | Doug Woog |
| Birth date | 6 July 1944 |
| Death date | 24 March 2019 |
| Birth place | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Death place | Minnesota |
| Nationality | United States |
| Known for | University of Minnesota men's ice hockey coach |
| Occupation | Ice hockey coach, ice hockey player, broadcaster |
Doug Woog was an American ice hockey player, coach, and broadcaster notable for his long tenure with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey program and contributions to college hockey in the United States. As a former player at Colorado College and coach at Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey he influenced generations of players and was a regular presence on regional broadcasts covering National Hockey League and collegiate competition. His career intersected with prominent programs and events across Big Ten Conference, Western Collegiate Hockey Association, and national tournaments.
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Woog attended local schools in a city with a strong tradition in high school ice hockey and Minnesota hockey culture. He played junior and prep hockey in the Twin Cities area before enrolling at Colorado College where he competed in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey. At Colorado College he played under coaches linked to the history of Western Collegiate Hockey Association competition and took part in intercollegiate matchups with programs such as University of Minnesota, University of North Dakota, University of Denver, and Boston University. After college he played in amateur and semi-professional circuits that involved teams associated with United States Hockey development and regional tournaments such as the U.S. National Championships and events featuring players from National Hockey League farm systems and American Hockey League affiliates.
Woog returned to Minnesota and began a coaching career that included positions at South St. Paul High School and other Minnesota prep programs before ascending to the bench of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers. As head coach of the Golden Gophers he directed teams competing in the WCHA and later interactions with what became the Big Ten Conference hockey alignment, facing rivals such as University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Boston College. His teams made multiple appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, contending in regionals and Frozen Four settings alongside programs like University of Minnesota Duluth, Cornell University, University of North Dakota, and Denver. He recruited and coached players who moved on to National Hockey League careers and international competition at IIHF World Championship and Winter Olympics tournaments, interacting with figures from USA Hockey development pipelines and professional organizations including New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks affiliates. His coaching style and program stewardship brought honors from collegiate hockey bodies and recognition tied to coaching awards presented by organizations such as the American Hockey Coaches Association.
After coaching, Woog worked in broadcasting and media covering collegiate and professional hockey, appearing on regional sports networks and local radio that covered Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, and collegiate matchups. He provided analysis for broadcasts of NHL games, NCAA Frozen Four rounds, and preseason events, sharing expertise alongside commentators formerly associated with ESPN, NBC Sports, and regional outlets. His media work connected him with sports journalists and broadcasters drawn from outlets such as The Hockey News, Star Tribune (Minneapolis), Pioneer Press (Saint Paul), and public radio features, and he participated in alumni and charity events with groups including USA Hockey alumni associations and university boosters.
Woog's personal life was rooted in Minnesota community institutions, youth hockey programs, and charitable initiatives linked to collegiate athletics and local youth development. He has been commemorated by the University of Minnesota community, former players who moved into coaching and professional ranks, and regional hockey halls of fame and awards recognizing contributions to Minnesota high school hockey and college programs. His legacy includes influence on coaching trees that connect to coaches at programs such as Colorado College, University of Denver, Boston University, Michigan State University, University of North Dakota, and University of Wisconsin–Madison, and an enduring presence in discussions about the history of American college hockey, the development of NHL talent from Minnesota, and the role of collegiate programs in national team pipelines.
Category:1944 births Category:2019 deaths Category:American ice hockey coaches Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey coaches Category:Sportspeople from Saint Paul, Minnesota